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These tummy-friendly snacks kick ordinary homemade gummies up a notch with just three basic ingredients. These natural candies hit the spot when sugar cravings strike but don't contain any refined sweeteners or gluten, making them ideal for health-minded munchers with a sweet spot.
I whipped up these gummies while hunting for better options to fill our family candy dish. What began as a simple test quickly turned into our can't-wait weekend treat, with everyone hanging around the fridge waiting for them to firm up.
Ingredients
- Fruit juice: Makes up the main taste of your gummies and adds natural nutrients. Try pomegranate and orange for bright colors and standout flavors
- Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps build that must-have gummy feel. Go for raw honey to get extra health perks
- Unflavored beef gelatin: The key item that delivers the chewy texture while boosting protein and helping digestion. Try to find quality grass-fed brands for the best outcome
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get Everything Ready:
- Put your bear molds on a cookie sheet before you start so you can easily move them to the fridge. This stops messes and makes everything run smoother.
- Warm The Mix:
- Put your fruit juice and honey in a small pot over medium heat until it barely bubbles. Stir now and then until you see tiny bubbles forming at the sides and the honey completely mixes into the juice.
- Mix In Gelatin:
- When your juice mix starts to simmer and honey has fully melted add the gelatin while stirring fast. Keep whisking until all gelatin dissolves which should happen in about 30-45 seconds. You'll notice the mix getting a bit thicker.
- Pour Into Shapes:
- Move fast and pour the mix into your silicone molds. If it starts getting too thick before you finish warm it up again briefly so it keeps flowing.
- Cool And Harden:
- Move the filled molds carefully to your fridge and let them sit without touching for at least 20 minutes. They should feel firm when you touch them once they're done.
- Pop Them Out:
- Push the bears out by pressing gently from the back of the molds. Keep them in a sealed container in your fridge to stay fresh.
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The beef gelatin really works wonders here. It doesn't just create that awesome gummy feeling we all want but also helps your digestion work better. I always make sure there's extra gelatin in my cupboard for whipping these up whenever my kids ask for store candy.
Storage Tips
Your homemade gummies will stay good in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Keeping them cold helps them maintain their perfect chewiness. If you want to keep them longer they can go in the freezer for up to three months. Let them thaw in the fridge before eating. I've found they taste their absolute best during the first week when the flavors are still really bright.
Flavor Variations
Playing with different juice combos gives you tons of options. Give tart cherry a try for its health benefits or go with pineapple for a vacation vibe. For extra vitamins throw in a spoonful of mashed berries to your juice. You can make them more or less sweet by changing how much honey goes in. If you've got both kids and adults around try making two batches - regular juice for the little ones and kombucha for grown-ups who want good bacteria and more complex taste.
Serving Suggestions
These gummies fit perfectly in lunch boxes since they don't lose their shape at room temp for a few hours. Toss them in small containers for snacks on the go. They're also great at kids' parties served in tiny paper cups instead of candy. For a fancy dessert touch arrange them around a fruit plate or scatter them on top of yogurt parfaits or healthy frozen treats.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use any fruit juice?
You sure can! Swap in options like apple, pomegranate, or citrus juices. Adjust the honey to match the sweetness of your juice.
- → What's the trick to dissolving the gelatin?
Warm up the juice and honey on low heat, then whisk in the gelatin quickly. Don’t let it boil—just stir until it’s smooth.
- → How can I keep the mixture from spilling?
To avoid spills, place the silicone molds on a sturdy tray before pouring. Moving them to the fridge becomes a lot easier!
- → How long can I store the gummies?
Pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They'll stay good for about seven days.
- → Can kids enjoy these gummies?
Of course! They’re naturally sweet and much better than store-bought candies, making them a hit with kids.